Apparatus for forming packages of strip material



R. C. 'FLYNT May 6, 1941.

APPARATUS FOR FORMING PACKAGES 0F STRIP MATERIAL Filed May 24, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 //K //////fi// 7//////////// bb k y 6, 1941- R. c. FLYNT 2,241,123

APPARATUS FOR FORMING PACKAGES 0F STRIP MATERIAL Filed May 24, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 awe/MAW, X20502? CWiZZ,

Patented May 6, 1941 APPARATUS FOR FORMING PACKAGES OF STRIP MATERIAL Robert C. Flynt, Winston-Salem, N. (3.. assignor of three-tenths to Forrest G. Miles and threetenths to Bailey B. Liipfert', both of Winston- Salem, N. 0.

Application May 24, 1938, Serial No. 2(l9,842

7 Claims. (EL 164-61) This invention relates to apparatus for forming packages or books of strip material, and more particularly for forming so-called books of cigarette papers.

A general object of the invention is to provide a method of and means for forming packages or books of strip material rapidly, economically, and in such manner that the size or length of the packages being formed may be controlled very accurately. V

Another object is to provide a novel method for feeding and cutting strip material into uniform lengths.

Another object is to provide an apparatus for feeding and cutting strip material into lengths including means for continuously feeding the unsevered strip to the cutting point, whereby starting and stopping of the feeding means is rendered unnecessary, and vibration and loss of energy due to overcoming inertia of intermittently operating parts is eliminated.

A further object is to provide a machine of the character described including novel and improved means for feeding and guiding the strip material to the cutting device.

A still further object is to provide a machine of the class referred to and including improved means for associating and folding strip material.

Other objects will become apparent from a reading of the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of apparatus embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of a folding device shown on an enlarged scale;

Figure 3 is a section taken on the line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2 with paper strips omitted;

Figure 5 is a detail view partly in section and partly in elevation showing a knife, operating mechanism therefor, and associated parts all drawn on an enlarged scale;

Figure 6 is a plan view of a knife shaft mountme. also drawn on an enlarged scale;

Figure 7 is a detail view in elevation of a knife drive gearing drawn on an enlarged scale; and

Figure 8 is a section on the line 8--S of Figure 2 and on a reduced scale.

The apparatus shown for the purposes of illustration includes a frame A which carries all of the working parts with the exception of strip supply rolls I which conveniently may be carried on a separate frame or bracket 13'. The invention is applicable to the associating, feeding, and cutting of strips generally, but will be described as employed for the formation of so-called books of cigarette papers. Thus, as shown, the rolls l comprise continuous rolled strips of cigarette paper stock.

Referring to the general arrangement and or ganization'of the apparatus; the cigarette paper I strip stock 2 is led from the respective rolls l over idlers 4, and a cover strip3 of heavienpaper also is led over an idler 4 to strip-associating and coverfolding means generally designated C which acts to associate the strips 2 in superimposed relation and to fold the cover strip 3 around the superimposed strips 2, thus to form a strip assembly generally designated 5. From the strip-associating and cover-folding means C the assembly 5 is led to a feeding means D, thence to a cutting or severing means E, and finally to a take-off or delivery device F which removes the cigarette paper books.

Referringnow to the strip associating and folding means C there is provided a cover folding and filler strip guide member 6 supported at its right-hand end as viewed in Figure 1 by brackets' or extensions 6* on the machine frame and havingits left-hand end of reduced size extending into a primary folder I. The guide 6 is formed along its lower face with a slot 6 closed by a plate 6 the slot serving to guide the filler strips 2 in mutually superimposed relation. A roller 8 is mounted on the brackets 6 a short distance below the adjacent end of the guide 6, the roller being adapted to support the cover strip 3 which is led under the guide 6 and into the primary folder I by which the cover strip is rather loosely folded about the filler strips. It should be noted that the guide it extends well into the folder I so that the folds will be substantially formed in the cover strip before the filler strips emerge from the guide.

The folder I is formed in two parts comprising relatively adjustable wings and l having flared entrance ends so shaped as to turn the edge portion 3 of the strip 3 over and fold it down over its edge portion 3 The wing parts l and 1 are mounted for relative lateral adjustment by screws 9 extending through slots l0 and by virtue of this arrangement the folder I can be set to form the folds along the desired lines, 1. e., to form a strip assembly of the desired width. It also permits lateral adjustment of the entire folder 1' in order to align it with the i-dlers 4 and guide 6.

The strip assembly, although substantially completed as it passes through the folder I, is then threaded through a flat tube H having a flared entrance at 52, the tube ll serving to crease and set the fold in the cover. It will be noted that the entrance or flared end of the tube H is spaced from the exit end of the folder I. I have found that this arrangement provides for the formation of the smoothest books, since it apparently permits the strip assembly to adjust itself freely after leaving the folder and before being subjected to the final creasing or flattening operation within the tube I l. Preferably the tube H is so mounted as to be adjustable vertically to provide for applying a desired pressure on the strip assembly 5. In the form shown the tube is mounted on compressible gaskets I l and is secure-d in place by screws H By tightening the screws the top of the tube can be caused to exert a selected desired fold setting or creasing pressure.

The means for feeding the strip assembly in the present instance includes a drum l3 mounted for rotation upon an axle l4 journaled in the frame A, spaced pulleys I5 and I6 journaled in the frame as at I! and I8 respectively, and a flexible belt 19 preferably of rubber trained over the pulleys, a stretch [9 of the belt being in contact with a segment of the drum 53. The belt preferably is formed with projections 24 of soft rubber adapted to press the strip assembly 5 gently against the drum without causing skewing of the paper strips or cover and without otherwise disturbing the fiat even folding of the latter. In accordance with the invention, the belt l9 and drum !3 are driven independently, that is, neither one has any driving effect upon the other. This arrangement is preferable, since, if one of these elements were to have a tendency to drive the other, there would be a likelihood of deforming the strip assembly. In the form shown, the 7 be explained hereinafter. In operation, the strip assembly passes down'through the guide 3229 into endwise engagement with the abutment 33, and portions of the strip are cut off in uniform lengths by severing means now to be described.

The severing means E comprises a vertical shaft 31 journaled in the plate 33 and carrying a movable knife 38 adapted to have scissors-like cooperation with a fixed knife 39 carried by the plate 30. The knife 38 is mounted for sliding movement on the shaft 31, but is constrained against rotary movement with respect thereto by a key or other suitable means not shown. Preferably the movable knife 33 is urged into engagement with the plate 30 by means of a spring 38 interposed between the knife 38 and a collar 38* on the lower end of the shaft 31, thus assuring efficient coaction of the movable knife 33 with the fixed knife 39.

For rotating the knife shaft 31, the latter is provided with a worm wheel 40 having narrow conically shaped teeth 4| engaging the teeth of a worm 42, which preferably is multi-threadedin the present instance having a triple thread. In accordance with the invention, the speed of the knife shaft may be varied in order properly to time the cutting of the strip assembly with the feeding thereof. In the form shown the variation of speed is affected by the use of a worm 42 of varying pitch. At the left hand ,end

of the worm as viewed in Figures 1, 5, and '7,

drive mechanism includes a motor 2| arranged to drive a cross shaft 22 through suitable gearing (not'shown). A sprocket 23 mounted on the cross shaft 22 drives a chain 24 which in turn drives a sprocket 25 on the drum l3 and a sprocket 26 on the pulley I6, one stretch of the chain 24 being trained over an idler 21. The relative diameters of the sprockets '25 and 2B and the relative diameters of the drum i3 and pulley 16 are such that the surface speed of the belt l9 and the drum l3 are the same, thereby providing the synchronized independent driving of the belt and drum which is desirable, for the reasons stated above.

After the strip assembly emerges from between the belt [9 and the drum l3, it passes vertically and downwardly to a cutting means E. In accordance with the invention, the strip assembly is first led through a guiding means 28, which includes a narrow slot 29 formed in a plate 30 mounted on the frame as at 3|, and also includes two diverging strips 32 which extend upwardly and outwardly from the slot 30, thus constituting an upper guide means which tapers upwardly and outwardly from the narrow guide means 23. Below, adjacent, and in spaced relation to the plate 30 is a horizontal abutment 33 which may be formed of spring metal mounted on a bracket 34 in turn secured to the plate 33. A screw 35 having threaded engagement with the bracket 34 is adapted to press against the bottom of the spring abutment 33 for adjusting the height of the abutment. A vertically extending finger 35 is carried by the abutment 33 to one side of the guide slot 33, being employed for a purpose to the threads have a relatively small pitch, whereas, at the central part of the worm, the threads have a relatively greater pitch, and at the right hand end of the worm the threads have a still greater pitch. Thus, assuming the worm 42 to be driven at a constant speed, the speed of rotation of the worm gear and the shaft 31 will depend upon what part of the worm is in engagement with the teeth of the worm gear. Shifting of the worm longitudinally will produce a gradual change in the driving ratio. It will be noted that the conically shaped teeth 4| of the worm gear make it possible for the latter to cooperate with the worm teeth of varying r pitch Without binding or harmful back-lash.

The worm 42 is slidably mounted on the squared end 43 of a shaft 44, and a gear 45 on the shaft 44- meshes with a gear 46 on the motor 41, whereby the shaft 44, worm 42, worm wheel 40, and knife shaft 31 are driven by the same motor that drives the feeding means. Thus, by shifting the worm longitudinally, it is possible accurately and definitely to adjustthe speed of operation of the knife 38 with respect to the feeding speed. For effecting such shifting and adjusting movements of the worm, I provide a hand wheel 4'! having threaded engagement with a sleeve or stud 48 carried by the frame A, the hand wheel having fingers 49 engaging in a slot 50 at one end of the worm. Rotation of the hand wheel 41 of course will cause the latter to move to the right or left, depending upon the direction of rotation, and will effect the desired shifting of the worm. Preferably, I provide means for yieldably retaining the hand wheel in its adjusted position, and in the form shown this means comprises a spring 5! secured to the hand wheel and frictionally engaging the threads of the stud 48.

A take-ofi conveyor belt 52 is mounted on the frame A and is disposed directly under the abutment 33. The conveyor belt is mounted on pulley 53 and 54 and is driven by means of a belt 55 which is trained over a sheave 56 on the span-12s shaft 44 and a sheave 57 secured to and rotatable'with the pulley 53'.

In practicing the method of the present invention when using apparatus of the kind shown herein, the cover strip 3 is first led underthe guide 6 and laid in the folder I as shown in Figure 2, and the several strips 2 of cigarette paper stock laid over the folding strip. The strips 2 and the cover strip 3 are then pulled through the slot in the guide 6 and the'folder l, and then threaded through the tube H and between the belt l9 and the druml3. The drum and belt are then driven sufliciently to bring the leading end of the strip assembly down through the guides 32-29 and into endwise engagement The drum I3 and beltknife 38 will be in the position shown in Fig- &

ures l, 5, and 6, i. e., just before it passes the guide 29 to meet the fixed knife 39. The apparatus is then ready to run continuously to cut off uniform lengths of the strip assembly. During the operation, the feeding means, i. e., the drum I3 and the belt l9, run and function continuously; whereas the severing means, although running continuously, functions only intermittently. Because of the continuous operation of the feeding means and the recurrent endwise engagement of the strip assembly with the abutment 33, there will be a certain amount of slack in the strip assembly between the feeding means and the abutment, this slack being taken up by the buckling previously referred to. It will be observed that the guide slot 29 serves to support the leading end portion of the strip assembly, so that the part of the assembly which is to be cut off will be, for all practical purposes, straight, the buckling being confined to the portion of the strip assembly above the guide slot 29 at all times. This makes it possibleto cut off entirely uniform lengths of the strip assembly, The continuous operation of the feeding means in itself constitutes a distinct advantage, since these parts are relatively heavy, and dispens ng with the starting and stopping of the feeding means employed in many prior apparatus of this class eliminates a great deal of vibration and the loss of energy due to the necessity of overcoming inertia forces.

As the knife 38 revolves and cuts off the leading end portion of the strip assembly, it tends to push the upper edge of the cut-off portion to the left, causing the cut-off portion to fall upon the conveyor belt 52 so as to be conducted away from the cutting knife. The finger 36 functions to prevent the lower edge of the strip assembly from sliding out of alignment with the guide slot 30.

After the machine has been started and 1s running continuously, the operator will find that the best results can be obtained when a certain amount of slack is kept in the strip assembly between the guide slot 29 and the feeding means. The amount of slack in the strip of course will depend upon the relative rates of feeding and cutting. Hence the amount of slack or buckle can be controlled by adjusting the hand wheel 4! to vary the speed of the knife 38, while the speed of the feeding means is kept constant.

In most cigarette books the covers carry printed matter, and of course it is desirable that the individual books be cut from the strip assembly at certain definite points with reference to the printed matter. The control of the point-ofcutting may be governed by the speed of the knife and by adjustment of the position of the abutment 33, which may easily be effected by turning the screw35. i

The apparatus and method disclosed herein are illustrative of p the preferred'form andmode of practisingtlie invention, but it will be understood that various changes may be made'without departing from the invention as defined in the claims.

I claim:

1. In apparatus of the character described; means for supplying strip material; a drum; a pair of spaced pulleys; a belt passing around said pulleys and a stretch of the belt being adapted to run in contact with a segment of said drum; means for directing said strip between said belt stretch and drum to be fed longitudinally thereby; an abutment positioned to be engaged by the end of the strip; an intermittently acting cutter positioned between the drum and the abutment for severing said strip adjacent to but spaced from said abutment and while the end of said strip is in engagement with said abutment; and means for maintaining substantially straight the entire portion of the strip extending from the cutter to the abutment.

2. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of an abutment; relatively fixed means mounted in spaced relation to said abutment and being provided with a guide slot; means for, continuously feeding a plurality of superimposed strips at a constant rate through said guide slot to endwise engagement of the strips with said abutment; and a continuously moving intermittently acting cutter operated in timed relation to the rate of strip feed for severing said strips adjacent said guide slot.

3. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of an abutment; relatively fixed means mounted in spaced relation to said abutment and being provided with a guide slot; means for continuously feeding a plurality of superimposed strips at a constant rate through said guide slot to endwise engagement of the strips with said abutment; a continuously moving intermittently acting cutter operated in timed relation to the rate of strip feed for severing said strips adjacent said guide slot; and means mounting said abutment for adjustable spacing from said cutting means.

4. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a substantially horizontal abutment; means mounted above said abutment and being provided with a guide slot; means for feeding a strip down through said guide slot and to endwise engagement of the strip with the abutment; a cutter blade mounted to move in a substantially horizontal plane underneath said guide slot; and means for moving the blade to cause it intermittently to traverse said slot and sever the strip adjacent thereto.

5. In apparatus of the character described, the

combination of a substantially horizontal abut ment; means mounted above said abutment and being provided with a guide slot; means for feeding a strip down through said guide slot and to endwise engagement of the strip with the abutment; a cutter blade mounted to move in a substantially horizontal plane underneath said guide slot; means for moving the blade to cause it intermittently to traverse said slot and sever the strip adjacent thereto and to push and cause the upper end of the severed portion of the strip to '7. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of an abutment; means for feeding a plurality of superimposed strips to endwise engagement thereof with said abutment; intermittently acting means for severing said strips adjacent said abutment; and means for driving said severing means including a worm wheel connected to the severing means, a worm having sections of different pitch any one of which sections is adapted to engage with and drive the worm wheel; means for driving the worm, and means for selectively engaging difierent parts of said worm with said worm wheel.

ROBERT C. FLYNT. 

